what the debates should be about, it's a contest of character but it's also a contest of policy. staying on policy is more productive. i don't know that the american people take any of this seriously. the constant attack on the other. i think obama was saying this is the nature of politics. i think both camps have done things that are inappropriate. but politics as usual. megyn: can he change the momentum of this campaign when he gets to wednesday's debate? the president seems to have taken the lead in a couple swing states this week. so governor romney is clearly looking at that. >> what the president is taking the lead in most effectively. putting governor romney totally on the defensey which is not where he needs to be with the economy being what it is. and that is why it's so critical while he's on the same stage as president obama. no real filter in between. for him to turn around and say, mr. president, how can you make an affirmative case that we are better off than we were four years ago and how can you promise the american people we are better off four years from now if